News from January 2016
Not likely jury would've believed for-profit colleges tried to pocket admission reps' bonuses, judge says
A federal court has denied a man’s attempt to sue his former employer, a Schaumburg-based operator of several for-profit career education colleges, over its termination of a bonus incentive program he says cost him thousands. U.S. Magistrate Judge Geraldine Soat Brown granted summary judgment in December to defendant Career Education Corporation, which operates Le Cordon Bleu College, American Intercontinental University and Colorado Technical University.
Family blames lag in treatment for father’s death at Advocate Trinity
CHICAGO – A Cook County widow alleges doctors at Advocate Trinity Hospital delayed treatment of her husband’s respiratory distress, which ultimately led to his death.
Chicago dentist says city commission didn't let him defend claims he forbade Muslim worker from wearing hijab
A Chicago dentist is seeking a second, higher legal opinion as he tries to refute the claims of a former Muslim employee, who claims he discriminated against her by forbidding her from wearing her hijab at work. Dr. Dhiraj Sharma, owner of American Dental Associates, recently filed a petition for common law writ of certiorari in Cook County Circuit Court, asking the court to intervene in his dispute with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.
Illinois law granting hospitals tax exemption struck down by appellate court as unconstitutional
A state appellate panel has struck down an Illinois law providing tax exemptions to hospitals, saying lawmakers erred under the state constitution in believing hospitals should be able to avoid paying property taxes because they may provide enough benefits to their communities to offset the millions of dollars in tax revenue lost to cities, counties, school districts and other local property tax-collecting entities.
Arthritis patient blames Smith & Nephew for premature hip joint failure
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing the manufacturers of a hip implant, alleging it was knowingly marketed despite its deficiencies.
Orthopedic patient blames Ingalls Memorial for permanent spinal injuries
CHICAGO – A Cook County man is suing a Harvey hospital, alleging negligence caused his spinal cord injury.
Daughter accuses Norridge Gardens of neglecting elderly mother
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing a Norridge nursing facility, alleging her mother suffered sepsis and other serious complications while a resident of the defendant.
U.S. House passes asbestos, class action reform bill under veto threat
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Under threat of a presidential veto, the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill that targets class action lawsuits and the asbestos injury compensation system.
EEOC headed to trial over claims Costco did too little to stop employee from being stalked
CHICAGO — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will take on wholesale retailer Costco in a jury trial on behalf of a female employee who was allegedly harassed and stalked while working at the company’s Glenview warehouse.
Appeals panel tosses $158K legal fee award in consumer fraud case vs Sears over $3.10 sales tax overcharge
Chicago-based Zimmerman Law Offices may need to produce more records to substantiate its work if it wishes to recover a $157,000 payday it claims Sears must pay for work the firm performed to secure a $3.10 consumer fraud judgment on behalf of a “professional class action plaintiff” who had claimed the retailer charged him too much sales tax when he used federal vouchers to buy digital television converter boxes.
Lloyd’s of London rejects indemnity claim by Wunderland Group
CHICAGO – Lloyd’s of London is suing Chicago tech staffing firm, alleging a cyber risk policy does not require them to indemnify it from a claim against two workers for breach of an employment contract.
Jury awards Ford County record $950K to family of victim of alleged medical malpractice
A Ford County jury recently awarded $950,000 to the family of a 73-year-old Gibson City man who died as a result of alleged negligence in a Gibson City Clinic. The award marked a record verdict amount in the downstate county.
Diner blames Shan Li’s Restaurant for slip-and-fall injuries
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing an Aurora restaurant, alleging negligence for injuries she says she suffered by slipping and falling on a waterlogged floor mat.
Arthritis patient blames Wright Medical for hip implant failure
CHICAGO – A Kendall County man is suing the manufacturer of a hip implant, alleging it received and knowingly allowed implantation of the device despite its record of component failure.
Pedestrian accuses Southgate Tower of negligence in slip-and-fall incident
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing a Chicago high rise and its owners, alleging they failed to clear an icy sidewalk where she says she suffered injuries from a fall.
Patient accuses podiatrist of malpractice in foot surgery
CHICAGO – A Cook County man is suing a podiatrist, alleging he chose the wrong course of treatment, causing the plaintiff to suffer persistent pain and limited mobility.
Son alleges Friendship Village's negligence led to mother’s death
CHICAGO – A Cook County man is suing a Schaumburg retirement village, alleging it failed to supervise his mother, allowing her to fall and suffer fatal complications.
Frenchman accuses United Airlines of serving ice cream containing glass
CHICAGO – A traveler from Paris is suing United Airlines, alleging he was served an ice cream sundae containing shards of glass while aboard a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Publisher says city rules barring posters on lamp posts is unconstitutional
The First Amendment doesn’t specifically mention streetlight poles, but they are involved in a free speech class action complaint filed in federal court in Chicago. RCP Publications filed the complaint in December against the city, arguing the city violates the First Amendment with its policy on which messages may be posted on public property.
Cook County judge ruled law limiting civil juries to six members is unconstitutional
A Cook County judge has struck down a law limiting civil juries to six members, saying the change goes against principles enshrined in Illinois' state constitution. Judge William Gomolinksi overruled the law Dec. 21, maintaining that this is a matter of defending the constitution, not a definitive determination that a 12-person jury is the most effective way to try a civil case.